This Virginia marathon just won the Best of the Blue Ridge: Running Event from Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. It is an honor we don’t take lightly, especially because running with us is a bold choice.
America’s Toughest Road Marathon Isn’t for Everyone–and That’s the Point.
If you’re searching for “flat and fast,” we’ll be the first to tell you — this ain’ it.
At race expos, a lot of people see us and walk the other way. This is, after all, America’s Toughest Road Marathon. This race has earned its reputation (and was even named in Runner’s Worlds’ Worlds’ Toughest Races) for the relentless elevation change. It elicits a visceral reaction to the average runner.
“Uh-uh, too many hills.”
“Oh, this race? No thank you.”
It is, however, an extremely rewarding race with real elevation and real meaning. And, it’s an enticing destination event with a central east coast location in gorgeous southwest Virginia–easy for travel by Amtrak, air, and Interstate-81.
Year after year, runners vote the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon as the Best Running Event in the Blue Ridge. Not just once. Not just out of novelty. But consistently.
They’re not just voting, either. They’re coming back to run year after year.
Why Runner’s Return to One of the Hardest Marathons in the World
In an industry where many races struggle with retention, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon stands out among US races for its unusually high return rate. According to RunSignUp’s latest industry report, 17.4% of 2023 participants returned to the same event in 2024. At Blue Ridge, that number was nearly double. In 2024, 34% of our runners were returners — choosing, once again, to take on one of the hardest road marathons in the world.
Each year, runners travel from more than 40 states to take on the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, making it one of the most recognized destination races in Virginia and the surrounding region. We regularly welcome runners from adjacent states like North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, as well those from all corners of the US like New York, Illinois, Texas, and even Alaska, all drawn by the same question: Can I do this?
So why?
Why do people keep choosing this race? And, why do they call it the best?
A Virginia Marathon Built on Community, Not Convenience
In a world increasingly built around convenience, efficiency, and finding the easiest possible way from start to finish, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon asks the opposite. It asks runners to commit to something hard. To train through winter’s cold and darkness. To prepare for elevation that’s difficult to replicate on an average run. To face a race that tests not just physical fitness, but patience, grit, and mindset. And, after all that, to arrive on race day knowing full well this will not be their fastest race time.
Still, people return.
That choice says something important about doing hard things.
The running community has seen this phenomenon before in trail races and ultramarathons, those legendary suffer fests where runners willingly spend days on their feet, navigating mountains, fatigue, and far less glamorous logistics. What’s unique about Blue Ridge is that same spirit showing up on a road marathon start line.
Here, you’ll find experienced ultrarunners standing shoulder to shoulder with first-time road racers. You’ll see runners chasing a personal edge next to runners chasing a finish. Seasoned elites, and eager beginners. Different goals, different backgrounds — one shared challenge.
And that’s where the magic happens.
What truly sets the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon apart isn’t just the difficult course, it is how that difficulty is shared. Runners don’t face the miles alone. They’re met with volunteers who know exactly where encouragement matters most. Local spectators who show up year after year to cheer on strangers by name. And, of course, fellow runners who share solidarity on the climbs and genuine celebration at the finish.
The challenge becomes collective.
The combination of a demanding course paired with a deeply supportive community is why this race continues to resonate. Runners return not to prove something to others, but to reconnect with something that’s harder to find elsewhere: belonging through effort, pride through persistence, and joy through shared struggle.
Being named Best Running Event in the Blue Ridge while remaining one of the hardest races in the world speaks to something bigger than an award. It reflects a community that values grit, authenticity, and the belief that hard things are worth doing, especially when we do them together.
It isn’t about choosing the easiest path.
It’s about choosing the meaningful one — together.
—–
A Destination Race for Runners Across the Southeast and Beyond
April 18, 2026
6 distances:
- Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
- Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Half Marathon
- Freedom First Team Relay
- Anthem Star 10K
- Altra Blue Ridge Double Marathon
- Carilion Children’s Family One Miler
Discount for reading this blog? You bet. Use code “BlueRidgeTough” for 20% off registration – ends 11:59pm EST on January 31st.
Weekend Bonuses:
The Freedom First Down by Downtown Festival offers live music throughout race weekend with runners getting discounted tickets to the headline event.
America’s Slowest 5K presented by Altra is an epic recovery run and can’t-miss community event.
